McDonald's Teases New Happy Meal
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McDonald's is launching a new Happy Meal collaboration with the K-pop group BTS.
The restaurant chain posted an image of a Happy Meal box and seven tiny figurines on social media on Monday that appeared to show the TinyTAN animated characters based on the famous seven-member boy band.
In a press release which followed on Tuesday, McDonald's said: "You asked and we delivered. This September, McDonald's is teaming up with TinyTAN to launch the TinyTAN Happy Meal®. On September 3, this group of lovable characters inspired by the seven members of BTS are heading to the Golden Arches with magical moments like never before!"
Why It Matters
Celebrity tie-ins have driven major spikes in McDonald's sales and cultural visibility in recent years.
McDonald's and BTS previously partnered in 2021 on the globally released BTS Meal, which combined a 10-piece McNuggets order with two special sauces and co-branded merchandise. At the time, Morgan Flatley, then-chief marketing and digital customer experience officer at McDonald's USA, praised the "passion and anticipation from our fans worldwide" around the project.
What To Know
McDonald's posted an aerial image on Instagram of a Happy Meal box with seven miniature figures. The caption read, "i feel like i personally manifested this, wbu??"
In response to one user who posted, "BTS?" the McDonald's account said, "something a little tinier to ur happy meal."
McDonald's then confirmed the new meal a day later, saying, "For the first time ever, you'll be treated to double the fun with two different sets of toys in your TinyTAN Happy Meal: The Throwback Edition featuring each character rocking the 2021 BTS Meal promo outfits and the Encore Edition featuring each character sporting outfits that nod to the second legendary collab with McDonald's, available Sept. 23."
TheStreet reported the TinyTAN Happy Meal would include a choice of hamburger or Chicken McNuggets, fries or apple slices, a drink and one of seven collectible TinyTAN toys, naming each BTS member represented.
(L-R) V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS attend the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 3, 2022.
(L-R) V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS attend the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 3, 2022.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Who Is BTS?
BTS is a South Korean boy band formed in 2013. The seven members are RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. They gained global fame with hits like "Dynamite," "Boy With Luv," and "Butter." BTS has broken records with over 40 million album sales in South Korea, billions of streams worldwide, and multiple Billboard Hot 100 number ones.
They were the first K-pop group to be nominated for a Grammy Award and have a massive global fan base, ARMY.
The Context
BTS is one of the most popular musical acts in the world. Summer 2025 has seen Korean pop reach a greater audience through Netflix's hugely successful K-pop Demon Hunters film, which has broken animation records for the streaming service and hit the top spot of Billboard 100.
McDonald's Japan recently paused a high-demand Pokémon card Happy Meal campaign due to crowds and food wastage, highlighting the popularity of such tie-ins.
The prospect of another BTS-linked promotion arrives as McDonald's in the U.S. pursued operational upgrades intended to shorten wait times and support surges in demand, including a "Ready on Arrival" system the company said could cut pickup waits by more than half.
What Happens Next
Fans can look forward to the meal's release on September 3, but that's not all.
McDonald's has also announced a Magic Meetup in Los Angeles, where you can step into the rhythm of TinyTAN with an immersive, multisensory experience, filled with music and Happy Meal magic. It takes place at nya West, from September 27 to 28.
Fans can also visit the Happy Meal website to play a TinyTAN Power Up game and sing along to their favorite tunes.
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